President receives Thai, Cambodian guests

Receiving the Thai Deputy Prime Minister who is in Vietnam for the “Thai Cultural Days” programme marking the 40 th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (August 6), President Quang reiterated Vietnam’s recognition of high importance on the strategic partnership with Thailand and expressed his desire to further boost it in the time ahead.

The State leader thanked Thailand for its US$100,000 aid package to support Vietnam’s southern localities hit by drought and saltwater intrusion.

Both nations should augment bilateral cooperation as well as their collaboration with other countries and international organisations to manage and use the Mekong River ’s water resources effectively in line with international practice, thus ensuring interests of countries, he told his guest.

The State leader underlined the need to actively implement the joint statement of the third Vietnam-Thailand Cabinet Meeting, the plan of action realizing the bilateral strategic partnership for 2014-2018, and bilateral cooperative mechanisms, with attention paid to scheduling the third meeting of the Vietnam-Thailand Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation.

He called for the combined efforts to devise specific measures to put into place the action programme on Vietnam-Thailand trade and investment for 2015-2016 towards reaching US$20 billion in trade value in 2020.

The two countries should continue implement their defence cooperation agreement and swiftly implement deputy ministerial-level dialogues between their defence ministries, as well as between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Thai Royal Police, Quang said.

The President proposed increasing the use of a hotline between the two countries’ naval forces to promptly settle maritime issues, including incidents relating to their fishermen, which, he said, should be resolved in the humanitarian spirit, the strategic partnership and the friendship between their people.

The Vietnamese State will offer the best possible conditions for Thai investors and businesses to operate in the country and encourage Thai investments in tourism, garment-textile, food, farm produce and chemicals, he said.

He suggested the two countries should continue their collaboration with Laos and Cambodia to speed the construction of the Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam coastal transport route and launch bus services linking Vietnam with its two neighbours of Thailand and Laos .

In regard to the East Sea issue, President Tran Dai Quang appreciated Thailand’s position on valuing peace, stability and sustainable development in the waters and stressing the need to fully and effectively effectuate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and work towards the early formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

He noted with satisfaction Thailand , as an important ASEAN member, will enhance its coordination with Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries to maintain the bloc’s common stance on the issue in order to ensure peace, stability, and maritime security and safety in the East Sea .

Tanasak Patimapragorn, in turn affirmed his country's readiness to join hands with Vietnam across a variety of fields as a contribution to strengthening ASEAN cooperation.

He described cultural, tourism and sport collaboration as a spotlight in the bilateral ties and stressed Thailand’s views to address maritime issues in the spirit of the strategic partnership and through diplomatic channels between the two countries’ competent agencies and the respective embassies.

At the reception for outgoing Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Hul Phany, the State leader praised his contributions to the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

He also noted his joy at the growing bilateral ties in multitude of fields as well as fruitful cooperation in defence, security, economics, trade, investment, education and culture.

He said he believes that in any new positions, Hul Phany will fulfill his assigned tasks and continue to make greater contributions to to the Vietnam-Cambodia ties.

The diplomat displayed his belief in the stronger bilateral relations, especially after measures to boost the ties, particularly activities to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of diplomatic ties (June 14, 1967-2017), were reached by President Quang, during his State visit to Cambodia, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. 

He also thanked Vietnamese volunteer soldiers for helping Cambodia escape from the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime in 1979.